An Ondo State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Akure, the state capital, has sentenced a man, Friday Okeneji, to two years imprisonment for stealing some chemical substances worth N130,000.

The convict, who is a pastor of a popular church in Iwaro, Oka Akoko in the Akoko South-West Local Government Area of the state was said to have committed the offence on July 2, 2023, in the town.

He reportedly broke into a chemical shop and stole the items.

He was however arrested and charged to court.

He was arraigned before the court on a two-count charge of stealing.

The convicted pastor, who pleaded guilty when the two charges were read to him, told the court that he committed the offence for survival purposes.

He pleaded that he had no means of livelihood, adding that he had to pay N150,000 for his mother’s burial slated for August.

In his ruling, the Magistrate, Damilola Sekoni, said the pastor was guilty of the charges and sentenced him to two years imprisonment with an option of N100,000 fine.

He also advised the convict to turn a new leaf.

Punch/Adebukola Aluko

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